Linden Grove Pavilion
Why it's listed
Built around 1900 on the farm of Tilghman S. Cooper outside Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, this two and one-half story rectangular pavilion is a rare example of Queen Anne styling applied to an agricultural building. Its hip roof is covered in dark slate and topped by a cupola with a weathervane once shaped like a Jersey bull. Cooper, known as the Jersey Cattle King, sold high-class Jersey cattle, and the annual Decoration Day auction moved to his Lehigh County farm in 1900. The pavilion served as the sale and exercise building, with cattle brought in through a wide rear bay. Buyers from across the United States and abroad attended the sales, which drew thousands of visitors to Coopersburg for more than three decades. The building is valued for its architecture, craftsmanship and its link to the American dairy trade. It has kept its original fabric, though its surroundings have changed with residential expansion along Linden Street and South Main Street.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its architecture, a rare example of Queen Anne style adapted to an agriculturally associated use, and for its association with the dairy industry through T. S. Cooper's Jersey cattle business and the annual Decoration Day auctions. It also cites the craftsmanship and structural detailing of the building.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79002289, listed November 30, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Linden and S. Main Sts, Coopersburg |
|---|---|
| County | Lehigh County |
| Listed | November 30, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002289 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1900 |
| Architect / builder | T.S. Cooper |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a storage warehouse for plumbing supplies and equipment by its owner; windows boarded up; in relatively good repair. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 40.50498, -75.39264 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79002289.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6552308
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.